Human Resource Management Practices at Sainsbury's: A Critical Analysis

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This report critically examines the human resource management (HRM) practices employed by Sainsbury's, a leading supermarket chain in the UK. It explores the purpose and functions of HRM, analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of different recruitment and selection approaches, and evaluates the effectiveness of key HRM elements in raising organizational profit and productivity. The report also delves into the impact of internal and external factors, including employment legislation, on HRM decision-making. Finally, it provides a job description and person specification for a team leader position at Sainsbury's, demonstrating the application of HRM practices in a work-related context.

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HNBS 303 Human Resource
Management

Student Name:

Student ID:

1

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Table of Contents
Assignment 1
..............................................................................................................................3
Introduction
................................................................................................................................ 3
1.1
Explain the purpose and the functions of HRM, applicable to workforce planning
and resourcing of your selected organisation (
P1).................................................................3
1.2
Explain the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and
selection of your selected organisation (
P2)..........................................................................4
1.3
Assess how the functions of HRM can provide talent and skills appropriate to fulfil
the business objectives of your selected organisation
(M1)...................................................4
1.4
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and
selection of your selected organisation
(M2).........................................................................5
1.5
Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to
recruitment and selection, supported by specific examples from your selected organisation

(D1)
. 6
Conclusion
..................................................................................................................................7
Assignment 2
..............................................................................................................................8
Introduction
................................................................................................................................ 8
Task 1: Evaluate the effectiveness of the key elements of Human Resource Management in

an organisation (LO2: P3, P4, M3 & D2) 140
...........................................................................8
1.1
Explain the benefits of different HRM practices within your selected organisation
for both the employer and employee
(P3)..............................................................................8
1.2
Evaluate the effectiveness of different HRM practices in terms of raising
organisational profit and productivity with examples from your selected organisation
(P4).
9

1.3
Explore the different methods used in HRM practices, providing specific examples
to support evaluation in the context of your chosen organisation
(M3)................................9
1.4
Critically evaluate HRM practices and application within the context of your
selected organisation, using a range of specific examples
(D2)..........................................10
Task 2: Analyse internal and external factors that affect Human Resource Management

decision-making, including employment legislation (LO3: P5, P6, M4 & D3)
......................11
2
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2.1 Analyse the importance of employee relations in respect to influencing HRM decision-
making in your chosen organisation (
P5).............................................................................11
2.2 Identify
the key elements of employment legislation and the impact it has upon HRM
decision-making in your chosen organisation (
P6)..............................................................11
2.3 Evaluate
the key aspects of employee relations management and employment
legislation that affect HRM decision-making in the context of your chosen organisation

(M4)
......................................................................................................................................12
2.4 Critically evaluate
employee relations and the application of HRM practices that
inform and influence decision-making in the context of your chosen organisation
(D3)....12
Task 3: Apply Human Resource Management practices in a work-related context (LO4: P7 &

M5)
........................................................................................................................................... 13
3.1 Prepare
a job description and person specification for a team leader in your selected
organisation, taking into account legislation and company policies
(P7)............................13
3.2
Provide a rationale of having job description and person specification in the
recruitment process in your selected organisation
(M5)......................................................13
Conclusion
................................................................................................................................14
3
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Assignment 1
Introduction

Human resources play a key role in the success of an organisation and are responsible for

managing the employees of an organisation such that its productivity can be increased.

Human resource is about dealing with people so that their efficiency can be increased and the

position of the organisation in the market can be improved. The report has been prepared

based on human resource practices of Sainsbury’s.

1.1
Explain the purpose and the functions of HRM, applicable to workforce planning
and resourcing of your selected organisation (
P1).
The organisation Sainsbury’s is changing its initiatives with respect to human resource

practices such that morale of its staffs can be improved in order to enhance its productivity

and performance in the market. As per the reports, the organisation stated that it is facing

struggles with respect to its finances as its employees have low moral or motivation. As per

review the employees of the organisation are committed but they do not have high morale

that has become a big obstacle in its way to success (Personneltoday.com, 2019). In order to

manage its workforce effectively, the organisation has started a new scheme of offering

bonuses to its employees so that the employees can be encouraged to be more focussed on the

customers who visits its stores.

The organisation has commenced schemes of rewards and recognition along with the

suggestions that are given by the staffs. The organisation has decided to increase its number

of stores, along with the number of staffs and rescheduling the working hours of the staffs.

The organisation Sainsbury’s has also decided to reduce the number of staffs in its offices so

that the cost that the organisation has to incur cam be reduced and the demands of the

customers can be met effectively. Sainsbury’s encourages online applications that start with

searching online, completing the details, assessing online, conducting interviews and finally

making the decision after final assessment (Sainsburys.jobs, 2019). The human resource

department of the organisation is taking several initiatives in order to make sure that the

organisation can flourish and prosper in its endeavours.

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1.2 Explain the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and
selection of your selected organisation (
P2).
The organisation Sainsbury’s has taken several measures in order to make sure that the

organisation is able to hire quality candidates and can enhance its performance in the market.

The organisation uses the technique of online application in order to hire the best candidates

however the strengths and weaknesses of its various recruitment mad selection practices have

been described below:

Processes
Strengths Weaknesses
Online applications
ï‚· The process is easy and
has better accuracy

(
Smallbusiness.chron.com
, 2019A)
.
ï‚·
Personal contact is not
present in this process.

ï‚·
Candidates who do not have
access to computers are

discriminated.

ï‚·
Chances of data crashes and
bugs are increased.

ï‚·
There are chances of issues
related to security.

Interviews
ï‚· Speech can be easily
corrected in this process.

ï‚·
It aids to develop strong
relationships.

ï‚·
Aids to select a deserving
candidate in the

organisation.

ï‚·
Time consuming process.
ï‚·
The process is costly
(
Thebusinesscommunicatio
n.com, 2013)
.
ï‚·
There is no record of the
process.

Table 1: Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection

(Source: Created by the learner)

1.3
Assess how the functions of HRM can provide talent and skills appropriate to fulfil
the business objectives of your selected organisation
(M1).
The functions that are practised by the human resource department of the organisation

Sainsbury’s, aids to achieve the objectives that have been set. The function of HRM of

Sainsbury’s and its role in providing talented and skilled people that are required in order to

fulfil its business objectives have been described below:

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ï‚· The vacant positions in the organisation are filled by the human resource department
(HRD) such that the company can operate well with respect to the achievement of its

objectives.

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) of the organisation Sainsbury’s aids to manage its
employees effectively such that their productivity can be enhanced and the performance

of the organisation can be improved.

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s keeps a record of the vacant
positions in the organisation and makes a list of the skills that are required in a person in

order to fulfil the position. In case the positions are not fulfilled the organisation’s

productivity will decrease (Civilserviceindia.com, 2019).

ï‚·
As soon as the human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s gets the details of the
skills that are required in order to fulfil the position the department starts advertising

about the vacant positions on various portals so that the pool of candidates can be

increased.

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) then shortlists the suitable candidates after
vigorous assessments and after several rounds of analysis the deserving candidates are

hired in the organisation Sainsbury’s.

1.4
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and
selection of your selected organisation
(M2).
The organisation Sainsbury’s has various methods of recruitment and selection in order to fill

the vacant positions effectively. The strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches to

recruitment and selection have been evaluated below:

Methods
Strengths Weaknesses
Online applications
ï‚· The process is not costly.
ï‚·
The speed of cycle of
recruitment is increased.

ï‚·
Various vacancies are
managed effectively such

that various processes can

be coordinated properly.

ï‚·
A large number of inapt
applications are received in

case the person specification

and job description is not

mentioned aptly.

ï‚·
In case the website is not
designed effectively then

the chances of receiving

applications skilled

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candidates might be
reduced.

ï‚·
In case the applicants are
not computer savvy then the

process becomes

discriminatory.

Referral schemes
ï‚· Retention rate is high in
this case.

ï‚·
The cost required in order
to fill the vacant positions

are low in this case.

ï‚·
The chances of hiring
high-quality candidates

are increased in this case.

ï‚·
The pool of candidates in
this case is limited.

ï‚·
The ability to create
diversity in the workforce is

reduced in this case.

ï‚·
The focus of the employees
is shifted in other directions

apart from their work.

Table 2: Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection

(Source: Randstad.co.uk, 2019)

1.5
Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to
recruitment and selection, supported by specific examples from your selected

organisation
(D1).
The organisation Sainsbury’s has adopted various methods of recruitment and selection so

that it can fill its vacant positions and the productivity of the organisation can be increased.

The organisation practices several methods of recruitment and selection, the critical

evaluation of its recruitment practices has been done below in the table:

Methods
Strengths Weaknesses
Online applications
ï‚· Not a costly process as the
organisation does not have

to make huge investments

on it

ï‚·
This process of
recruitment is fast as the

applicants who apply in

the organisation through

ï‚·
The chances of receiving
applications from unsuitable

employees is increased in

this process since it

happened in several cases

that that the applicants were

not able to understand the

job description and person

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the website are screened
as soon as they apply.

ï‚·
The organisation is able to
manage its vacant

positions effectively since

it can coordinate among

the various steps of

recruitment effectively

and in a better way.

specification properly.

ï‚·
The organisation has to
increase its investment on

website because any sort of

failure in its website reduces

the pool of candidates

available.

ï‚·
In order to apply online in
Sainsbury’s it is necessary

that the candidates know

how to use computers

otherwise they fail to apply.

Referral schemes
ï‚· This process of
recruitment and selection

is a cheap method and

does not incur much cost.

ï‚·
Biasness is increased in this
case the person

recommending an applicant

is very powerful.

ï‚·
The pool of applicants in
this case is reduced.

Table 3: Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection

(Source: Randstad.co.uk, 2019)

Conclusion

The organisation Sainsbury’s has taken several initiatives with respect to human resources in

order to make sure that the efficiency and productivity of its employees can be improved. The

organisation has a policy of treating its employees like consumers so that they can be retained

in the organisation and the performance of the organisation can be leveraged.

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Assignment 2
Introduction

The human resource department (HRD) of an organisation has several functions like

recruitment, employee engagement; provide a god environment and culture to the employees

of an organisation, managing the payroll of the employees, training and development of the

employees in terms with the laws of employment.

Task 1: Evaluate the effectiveness of the key elements of Human Resource Management

in an organisation (LO2: P3, P4, M3 & D2) 140

1.1
Explain the benefits of different HRM practices within your selected organisation
for both the employer and employee
(P3).
The various functions that are practised by the human resource department (HRD) of an

organisation affect its employees as well as the employer. The benefits of functions of human

resource department (HRD) with respect to Sainsbury’s have been explained below:

Employer Benefits:

ï‚·
It aids to promote positive performance in Sainsbury’s such that the employees of the
organisation follow the code of conduct effectively in the organisation (
Chelladurai and
Kerwin, 2018)
.
ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) aids to develop the employees of the organisation
so that their performance can be improved and the productivity of the organisation can be

increased (Smallbusiness.chron.com, 2019B).

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) aids to create a workplace or an organisation that
is flexible and makes sure that its staffs are motivated so that they perform better in the

organisation.

Employee Benefits:

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s operates so that it can resolve any
kind of issue that emerges in the organisation and perturb its peace.

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s emphasises on the training and
development of its employees such that the employees can learn new skills and gain more

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knowledge thereby aiding them to develop their career (Smallbusiness.chron.com,
2019C).

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s operates such that it can develop
and maintain effective relationships with the employees and make sure that they are

satisfied with the work they do.

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s makes sure that its employees are
well informed regarding any changes or modification that takes place in the organisation

(
DeCenzo et al., 2016).
1.2
Evaluate the effectiveness of different HRM practices in terms of raising
organisational profit and productivity with examples from your selected

organisation
(P4).
The various HRM practices in Sainsbury’s has an objective of increasing its productivity as

well as profitability as the department operates in order to make sure that the organisation’s

margin of profit can be increased. When it was observed that the organisation was struggling

with respect to its finances then human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s first tried

to figure out its reason behind this (
Berman et al., 2019). It was found that the morale of its
employees was low and the demands of its customers were not met effectively. Thus, the

human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s decided to reduce the head count in its

offices and increase the number of employees in its stores in order to increase its profitability

and productivity.

1.3
Explore the different methods used in HRM practices, providing specific examples
to support evaluation in the context of your chosen organisation
(M3).
The organisation Sainsbury’s uses various methods with respect to its HR department in

order to make sure that its productivity is increased and its profit margin is increased. In order

to make sure that the organisation can deliver what their customers want the human resource

department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s has changed its process of recruitment to online

applications and adopts several other methods such that its productivity can be increased

(Theguardian.com, 2018). For example, when the organisation realised that it is unable to

perform good due to low morale of employees in the stores the management of the company

decided to increase the number of employees in the stores and decrease the number of

employees in its offices.

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1.4 Critically evaluate HRM practices and application within the context of your
selected organisation, using a range of specific examples
(D2).
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s takes several steps in order to boost

the morale of its employees or motivate them such that their performance can be improved.

The organisation emphasises on employee engagement activities and the training activities of

its employees so that the level of their performance can be leveraged (
Noe et al., 2018). In
order to motivate the employees and reduce the load on them the organisation decided to hire

more people in its stores such that the shift timings of the employees can be adjusted

accordingly and encourage them various schemes of bonuses as well as schemes of rewards

and recognition.

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Task 2: Analyse internal and external factors that affect Human Resource Management
decision-making, including employment legislation (LO3: P5, P6, M4 & D3)

2.1 Analyse
the importance of employee relations in respect to influencing HRM
decision-making in your chosen organisation (
P5).
The relationship that the human resource department of Sainsbury’s have with its employees

affects its process of decision-making as the measures that the department takes are focussed

on the performance of its employees (Nescoresource.com, 2019). The decision-making

process of the human resource department of Sainsbury’s is affected by the relation it has

with its employees as better the relation the department has with its employees less are the

chances of emergence of conflicts, higher are the chances of retaining loyal staffs in the

organisation and more is the productivity of the organisation. Therefore, the decision-making

process is affected as if the relation with the employees are not good then the decisions that

the department makes are concerned with the strengthening and improvement of its

relationship with them and it cannot focus on other important aspects thus decreasing its

productivity (
Morgeson et al., 2019).
2.2 Identify
the key elements of employment legislation and the impact it has upon
HRM decision-making in your chosen organisation (
P6).
The components of legislation of employees affect the decision-making process of the

organisation Sainsbury’s in the following ways:

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s cannot practice discrimination
based on caste, creed, race, religion or gender while recruiting or hiring its employees.

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s cannot practice discrimination
based on caste, creed, race, religion or gender in case of training and development of the

employees (Cipd.co.uk, 2019).

ï‚·
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s must make sure that its employees
get maternity leaves in case they are female and paternity leaves in case they are male.

ï‚·
The working hours of the employees of the organisation Sainsbury’s must not be more
than 48 hours in a week on an average.

ï‚·
The organisation has to make sure that its employees get a healthy and a safe environment
to work.

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2.3 Evaluate the key aspects of employee relations management and employment
legislation that affect HRM decision-making in the context of your chosen organisation

(M4)
.
The relation that the human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s has with its

employees along with the employment legislation of the country the United Kingdom affects

its process of decision-making as the department has to make sure that it provides equal

opportunities of training and development as well as selection without being biased. This aids

the department to create and maintain good relations with the employees thereby making sure

that the organisation is giving equal opportunities as well as equal pay or wages to its

employees (
Bratton and Gold, 2017). The decision-making process of the human resource
department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s is affected by the legislation of employment as it has to

make sure that the employees or the staffs of the organisation are getting a healthy as well as

safe environment to work.

2.4 Critically evaluate
employee relations and the application of HRM practices that
inform and influence decision-making in the context of your chosen organisation
(D3).
The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s has to make sure that they maintain a

good relation with its employees so that they can know the issues that are affecting the

performance of the workers in the organisation. This aids the human resource department

(HRD) of Sainsbury’s to ensure that the staffs are content and happy with the work they do

and have no grievances against it or the organisation (
Cascio, 2015). In case the employees
are not happy, the human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s has to make decisions

such that the employees are satisfied with the work they do. The human resource department

(HRD) of Sainsbury’s has to make sure that the decisions it makes are as per the employment

legislations of the country the United Kingdom and it does not violate its policies.

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Task 3: Apply Human Resource Management practices in a work-related context (LO4:
P7 & M5)

3.1 Prepare
a job description and person specification for a team leader in your selected
organisation, taking into account legislation and company policies
(P7).
Job description

Position:
Team lead in customer service
Job Overview:
Handle a team of 6 people and make sure that their performance is as per the
standard. Make sure that the team members are motivated so that the expected sales can be

met effectively.

Duties and responsibilities:

ï‚·
Make sure that the paperwork is completed effectively
ï‚·
Train and develop the team members effectively so that expected sales can be achieved
ï‚·
Make and submit reports to the top levels of management
ï‚·
Ability to handle the issues or the complaints of the employees as well as the customers
ï‚·
Ensure that the finances and accounts are managed effectively
ï‚·
Order inventories as per requirement
ï‚·
Make sure that the events of promotion and advertisements are organised effectively
Person Specification

ï‚·
Educational Qualification: Graduate or Post-graduate in any field, Doctorates need not
apply

ï‚·
Experience: 4 to 6 years
ï‚·
Skills: Excellent communication and customer handling skills
ï‚·
Characteristics: Must have excellent interpersonal and sales skills
3.2
Provide a rationale of having job description and person specification in the
recruitment process in your selected organisation
(M5).
The job description is required to be given so that the applicants before applying for the

position of team leader in customer service in Sainsbury’s can evaluate themselves or their

skills with respect to the requirement. It will aid them to judge their own capabilities with

respect to the requirement that the organisation Sainsbury’s for the position of team leader.

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The person specification has been provided such that the policies of the organisation can be
strictly adhered, the minimum requirements are met effectively and prejudice or biasness

cannot be practised.

Conclusion

The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s operates in order to enhance the

productivity or efficiency of the organisation such that its sales can be increased and its

margin of profit can be augmented. The human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s

operates so that its employees are efficient in the work they do as well as content with it. The

motto of human resource department (HRD) of Sainsbury’s is to ensure that the yield of its

employees is enhanced so that the organisation can be benefitted overall.

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Reference List
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Human resource
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Human resource management: theory and practice. Palgrave.
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Managing human resources. McGraw-Hill.
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Human resource management in sport and recreation.
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16

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